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. 1994 Jul;176(14):4306–4310. doi: 10.1128/jb.176.14.4306-4310.1994

A statistical analysis of the formation of plasmid-free cells in populations of Escherichia coli.

T Tolker-Nielsen 1, L Boe 1
PMCID: PMC205642  PMID: 8021216

Abstract

By methods analogous to those used in the classical statistical analysis of bacterial mutation, we have analyzed the formation of plasmid-free cells in populations of Escherichia coli harboring pBR322-derived plasmids. Application of fluctuation tests and papilla analysis suggested that there is a high variance in the probability that a plasmid-containing cell will produce a plasmid-free daughter cell. Apparently a subpopulation of plasmid-containing cells gives rise to progeny that produces plasmid-free cells with a high and unpredictable rate. This finding raises the question of whether plasmid maintenance can be adequately described by the conventional mathematical models.

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Selected References

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